Is the Grading System Broken?

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Posted By: Charlie Barokas

Jim,

He might be one of the best at original cuts (edges). An idea might be to have a holder or flip that corresponds to the specific grader and or service level. If someone pays $5 to grade a Goudey Ruth that grades an "8" it might worth less than a flip or holder that was graded "8" under a $100 service and or by a more experienced grader.

I have been telling Mike Baker, who I believe is the best (no offense to the guys at SGC because they are right there with Baker) to put his name on each GAI flip that he grades. A personal Mike Baker pedigree service. I think those cards would command a premimum or in GAI's case at least SMR.

There is definately room for improvement but I would much rather have a third party grade the cards than the guy I am buying them from.

I reject the notion that a dealer grades the card more accurately. In fact, I think many old-time dealers rejected and resist grading to this day because they can make immediate margin by overgrading cards. I know there are alot of raw card dealers who buy cards in vg-ex condition and sell them as ex+. At least with a Third Party grading service there is no immediate arbitrage that a dealer can take advantage of.

Every proliferating business needs to change and adjust to the market place or they are left behind. I think the big three will make the changes. Currently, SGC and Dave Forman are the most proactive. But I think there is room for three grading services which would benifit the consumer/collector in many ways.

CB